Recueil de vues des lieux principaux de la colonie françoise de Saint-Domingue
Author: Ponce, Nicolas, 1746-1831
Place of Publication: Paris
Publisher: Chez M. Moreau de Saint-Méry, Rue Caumartin, no. 31. [Chez] M. Ponce, rue Saint-Hyacinthe, no. 19. [Chez] M. Phelipeau
Publication Date: A.P.D.R. 1791.
Physical Description: [2] p., [22] leaves of plates, [8] double plates : ill., maps, plans ; 49 cm
Description:
Nicolas Ponce’s work consists primarily of 22 illustrations, maps, and plans of the island of Saint-Domingue, the industry of its citizens, and beautifully illustrated views of principal cities such as Cap-Français and Port-au-Prince. Those kinds of views, while lovely, are less common that those of the work’s real visual treasures which are depictions of the people of the island in their everyday dress, in scenes of dancing, playing at fighting with sticks, and bathing and washing clothes. Ponce may have been idealizing such scenes, but these kinds of depictions are rare in the visual documentation of 18th century Saint-Domingue, and serve as valuable images of daily life in the colony.
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